The British Ski Academy have raised the bar in the quality of coaches that they have employed for the new season: With a group that include ex-World Cup racers, coaches with international experience and more, the British Ski Academy head into the new season with a fresh wave of optimism and excitement. Added to the new roster of coaches is a new sponsor for the Academy that has allowed new boundaries to be broached as a training camp in Canada is undertaken. ...
The BSA have been at the forefront of British racing for many years and it was great to see all the British team that took part in the Team Event at the World Championships in Vail last February had spent time at the BSA. Malcolm Erskine, boss of the BSA explains: “2015 is shaping to be a momentous year for the BSA. At the Vail 2015 Alpine world championships the entire British team was made up of former trainees. It’s great to see former alumni making progress. Hats off to Alexandra Tilley who put the hammer down in the NorAm series. Age 22, Alex is now preparing for World Cup giant slalom from a start number of 30 to 35.”
With this success has seen a new sponsor come in to support the Academy plus two of the major events that are put on through the BSA: The Anglo Scottish Championships in January and the Inter Schools races in March. This year Artemis Investment Funds will be supporting the Academy and the races. “The biggest news affecting our current trainees and BSA programme is the sponsorship deal with Artemis Investment Management. The impact of this sponsorship is already being felt. Our sponsor’s support has enabled us to gather our biggest and best coaching team for 2016 under the control of the former Head Coach of the Canadian Men’s World Cup technical team. See http://www.britskiacad.org.uk/staff.html for details of recent BSA coach signings,” explained Erskine.
Always looking to improve the lot of the British racers, Erskine and his coaching staff have looked to extend the boundaries with a camp held in Canada. “For optimal pre-season training and racing for our advanced athletes, head coach Kip Harrington has set up British Ski Academy camps at Panorama and Nakiska. The coaching staff under Kip will include Duane Baird, Jenni Stielow and Conrad Pridy. There are Artemis Bursary awards available for the Canada Camps but these are limited as the Artemis sponsorship already covers much of the base cost for a fixed rate of fees at £100 per day. Fees include local travel, full board and accommodation, pastoral care, lift passes, and training with an elite group of BSA coaches. Everything covered except for the BSA 2016 registration fee, race entry fees, racing insurance, and the British Airways flights,” Erskine explained in a BSA press release.
With past coaches like Lynn Mill (nee Sharp), Scott Bryson and Dave Morris all helping out at various times of the season, the new BSA roster of coaches includes Conrad Pridy from the Canadian World Cup speed team, Jenni Stielow from the USSA programme, Rory Petrilli, Duane Baird, Charlie Stocker, Lyndsey Strange, Karolina Chrapek and Natalia Pruska. The experience is extensive!
With a lot of highly qualified coaches ready to put the BSA athletes through their paces, these are exciting times for the oldest of the Academies on the British scene. International experience of the coaches plus the drive and determination of Erskine means the BSA will have one of the best packages for this season!
To get a place on the BSA programme email Malcolm Erskine on britskiacad@hotmail.com or call 07970 495533 to discuss plans.